Rainwater Management

“When the Reference Panel reported back to the Waste Management Committee in July 2008, we identified the ISMP process as a sleeper issue because continuation of the old-business-as-usual would potentially result in an aggregate unfunded liability that could easily equal the $1.4 billion cost of sewage treatment,” stated Kim Stephens.

In April 2009, the Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Management Reference Panel toured three projects at the University of British Columbia where innovative green infrastructure approaches and designs have been implemented: Choi Green Building, Sustainability Street, and the South Campus Neighbourhood. “These projects show what can be achieved by implementing water-centric green infrastructure at three scales: site, street and neighbourhood,” explained David Grigg.

To provide “first flush” pollution control and rainwater management, the parking lot at the City of Surrey's Clayton Dog Off-Leash Park utilizes pervious concrete as the pavement surface.

The District of Sooke is now proceeding with activities that will result in the development of the final plan for the management of rainwater in this southern Vancouver Island community.

Richard Boase (120p)
Richard Boase of the District of North Vancouver has succeeded Laura Maclean (Environment Canada)as Co-Chair of the Inter-Governmental Partnership that developed and maintains the Water Balance Model.

Holly Farm Townhomes are a residential complex of 15 units located in Central Saanich. The units were built in the Fall of 2007. The development was a big winner at the 2007 CARE Awards, bringing home the Gold in three categories.

“Part of the problem is not the amount of rain, but how it’s been coming down – not in a steady drizzle, but in intense bursts, as Vancouverites have seen this spring,” wrote Frances Bula.

LID Center – Neil Weinstein (160p)
Low-impact development is an approach to stormwater management and site design that uses natural hydrologic processes to preserve or recreate that hydrology at the site level, or to meet goals.

People For Puget Sound have released a map that dramatically shows for the first time all the public stormd rains carrying pollutants into Puget Sound. The map was produced by a team of University of Washington GIS students for People For Puget Sound

The Province’s Living Water Smart and Green Communities initiatives provide a framework for convening for action in British Columbia. The ultimate goal is to establish expectatons that will, in turn, influence the form and function of the built environment.